Youth Leadership Advisory Council Meeting - February 17, 2026

The Youth Leadership Advisory Council (YLAC) met on February 17, 2026, at 3:33 PM, adjourning at 4:45 PM. The meeting focused on establishing subcommittees, receiving updates from the Youth as Solutions group on e-bike and e-scooter safety initiatives, discussing social media and outreach strategies, and setting future agenda items. Several votes were taken to formalize subcommittees.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from the January 20, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During Public Comment on Action Items: No members of the public spoke.
• During Citizens Participation:
  • Alex Fuller (City of Las Vegas employee, representing Councilman Knutson Ward 1) expressed support for the scouting partnership idea and offered to facilitate a meeting with Scouting America.
  • Dr. Tammy Malich (Director of Youth Development and Social Initiatives) announced Nevada Reading Week in early March and invited members to read to elementary school children through city programs.
  • Tara Manor (Youth Development and Social Initiatives) announced the Compassionate City Awards, including a new Shining Light Award for youth, and invited nominations.
  • Harry Williams (City of Las Vegas employee) announced the Love on Jackson Street event on February 22, 2026, celebrating revitalization of the historic West Las Vegas community.

Discussion Items

• Establishing Subcommittees (Item 5 & revisited): Members proposed and debated subcommittees. Two subcommittees were formalized:
  • Community Engagement Subcommittee: Scope includes organizing events (e.g., food drives, school supply drives), connecting with the community, and addressing issues like food insecurity. Members: Laster, Sai, Nguyen, King, Gurney, Manales, Ruiz, McCraney, and Cohen (9 members, below quorum of full council).
  • Social Media Subcommittee: Scope includes managing YLAC social media accounts, creating content, and coordinating with the city's social media team. Members: Castro, Laster, Nguyen, Johnson, Gurney, and Cohen (6 members). A lead person will be selected at the next meeting.
• Participation Expectations (Item 6): Chair Nguyen emphasized attendance, email responsiveness, and agenda review. The attendance policy from bylaws was reviewed: members missing two or more consecutive meetings may be subject to removal; excused absences noted and considered.
• Youth as Solutions Report (Item 7): Members presented progress on e-bike and e-scooter safety campaign:
  • Drafting flyers, posters, and pamphlets; goal to finish drafts by next week.
  • Identifying community events (e.g., city parks, community centers) to table and promote materials.
  • Finalizing one or two schools for safety education assemblies; emailed Palo Verde High School and Hyde Park Middle School; seeking additional schools, especially Clark County School District schools.
  • Building panel lineup for assemblies including LVMPD, City Marshal, Commissioner Justin Jones, and possibly impacted individuals.
  • Member Musservi noted her mother is an assistant principal at Arborview High School, which had a recent e-bike incident, and could help secure an assembly there.
  • Additional updates: meeting with Ped Safe Vegas, participation in mayor's safety panel on February 26, submission of op-ed for award, and selection for a documentary grant for a student film festival.
• Social Media Strategy (Item 10): Members discussed content ideas for YLAC accounts (TikTok, Instagram, X):
  • "Bet on Youth" and "Behind the Velvet Rope" themes; introducing board members; event promotion; collaborations with organizations (e.g., Three Square) and sports teams.
  • City social media team willing to create accounts once a lead person is designated; decision postponed to next meeting.
  • Interest in a social media subcommittee rather than a single lead; Dr. Malich suggested a small team with one credentials holder.
• Future Agenda Items (Item 11): Proposed items included:
  • Finalizing outreach events (e.g., scout partnership, list of organizations).
  • Follow-up on assembly progress (Arborview High School).
  • Creating physical flyers for YLAC.
  • Training on professional communication and email etiquette, as members will represent the city.
  • Clarification that subcommittees will present recommendations to the full council before action.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to approve January 20, 2026 minutes: Carried unanimously.
• Motion to establish Community Engagement Subcommittee with members Laster, Sai, Nguyen, King, Gurney, Manales, Ruiz, McCraney, and Cohen: Carried by voice vote.
• Motion to establish Social Media Subcommittee with members Castro, Laster, Nguyen, Johnson, Gurney, and Cohen: Carried by voice vote.
• Social media lead/credentials holder to be elected at the next meeting.
• Community Engagement Subcommittee will develop outreach event recommendations for full council approval.
• Youth as Solutions group to continue school outreach and attend safety fair on March 12, 2026 (Commissioner Kirkpatrick's event).
• Next meeting scheduled for March during spring break; may be postponed to April if quorum not met.